Down block

A down block is a block on the defender lined up to your inside — you step down and seal him away from the hole so the play can hit outside or off your block. The danger is exposing your inside, so footwork and angle matter: take a flat first step to cut off his path, get your hat and hands across his playside, and stay square long enough to wall him off. It's a building block of gap-scheme runs like Power and Counter.

Defined by Coach Jay Freeman — 32 years coaching the offensive and defensive line.

Related trench terms

Drive blockO-Line

A straight-ahead block designed to displace the defender straight back.

Reach blockO-Line

A block where the lineman gets his head past the defender's playside shoulder to seal him.

PowerO-Line

A gap run scheme with a pulling guard and a lead blocker hitting downhill through the hole.

CounterO-Line

A gap run scheme with a pulling guard going opposite the initial backfield flow to misdirect the defense.

PancakeO-Line

A block that puts the defender flat on his back. The lineman’s highlight.

Go deeper

• Coach Jay’s lineman training library — the technique behind the term →
• Back to the full Trench Dictionary →
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